AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Eleven
Drayton
“Where are we going?” Daisy asks.
“To have breakfast with Pa,” I answer, squeezing her hand, which is wrapped up in mine. “You got dealt shitty parents, but that’s not on you. I got lucky with mine. My ma never stopped telling anyone who’d listen how proud she was of me, and my pa is my best friend, the best man I know. He’s fond of you, and I think you need a little of that right now, to know that not all parents make a shit job of parenting.”
“Danny told me your mom had a heart attack. You must miss her,” Daisy says, her eyes soft with sympathy as she squeezes my hand.
God, she’s amazing. She’s essentially just lost her mother, and yet here she is comforting me over the loss of mine.
I bring her hand to my mouth, pressing a kiss against her knuckles. “Every day.”
While I hate the way things have worked out with her mom, I know that Daisy’s place is with me now, and I plan to get a ring on her finger and a baby in her belly as soon as possible. With all the times we’ve had unprotected sex over the last forty-eight hours, I may have already achieved one of those objectives. Doesn’t matter anyway because I’m going to make her my wife. Daisy was made for me. I’m in love with her, and I don’t give a flying shit if people think we’re moving too fast.
I drive to the rear of The Hideout and park up outside the house I grew up in. I lean over to kiss Daisy, and the tension eases from her body as she melts into me. Climbing out of the cruiser, I circle to her side of the car and open the door, extending my hand to help her out.
I let myself into the house, calling out to Dad. We enter the kitchen to find he already has company.
“Sheriff!” Nancy says with a beaming smile, sitting at the kitchen table with Dad. “Did you come for the cookies, too? Your father makes a mean chocolate chip.”
Hey, Nancy. You’re here early,” I reply, shooting a look at Dad as he drinks his coffee. “Pa didn’t mention you were here when I called.”
“Not what you think, Son,” he says quickly. “Nancy’s generator failed and left her without power just before the storm hit, so she called me, and I brought her back here.”
“I don’t know what I would’ve done without him,” Nancy says, giving Dad a grateful look.
I suppress a smile. It’s obvious Nancy wants to be more than friends with Dad, but I’m pretty sure he’s oblivious. Strangely, the idea of Nancy and him doesn’t bother me. I just want my dad to be happy in his twilight years.
“So, what brings you and Daisy here so early?” Dad asks with a knowing smirk, noting my hand laced with hers.
“Breakfast,” I grunt, ignoring his smug smile.
“Pull up a seat. I’ve got coffee, croissants, and freshly baked cookies,” he says.
“Sounds perfect, Danny,” Daisy smiles.
“You okay, honey? Someone upset you?” Dad asks with a frown, noticing her puffy eyes.
Daisy shrugs. “I’m fine. Family stuff.”
Nancy clucks her tongue. “Oh, honey, family stuff can be the worst, can’t it? Friends, you can choose. Family, not so much,” she says with an understanding smile. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Nancy,” she says, holding out her hand.
“I’m Daisy. Nice to meet you, Nancy,” Daisy grins, shaking her hand.
“Ah, so you’re Daisy! Danny’s been singing your praises, telling me what a great job you’re doing,” Nancy says.
“I love working here. I don’t know what I would’ve done if it weren’t for Danny giving me this job,” Daisy replies.
“I guess we both owe him a debt of gratitude,” Nancy says, giving Dad a cheeky wink.
Dad turns a ruddy color and clears his throat. “Yes, well, only too happy to help,” he blusters.
Daisy takes a seat at the table, laughing at something Nancy has said. I lean against the doorframe and watch them. Daisy turns to look at me, a bright smile on her face. I smile back at her, thinking life can’t get any better than this.
I leave Daisy in Dad and Nancy’s capable hands and head into the office. It’s easy to see that Daisy feels at home with them, and it makes sense for her to stay there until The Hideout opens and her shift starts.
I enter the small staff room to hang up my jacket and come face to face with Connor and Jessica wrapped up in a passionate embrace. It’s almost funny how quickly they jump apart as I enter the room.
